Ronnie to trump bookmakers
Ronnie O'Sullivan and Judd Trump headline the final fixtures of the Premier League group stage.
By Kristian Walsh
Last Updated: 17/11/11 12:50pm
Ronnie O'Sullivan and Judd Trump headline the final week of Premier League snooker, with Sky Bet offering 10/11 the two meet in this week's final in Grimsby.
'The Rocket' is currently fourth in the table and looking to confirm his place in the playoffs; he's four points behind leader Ding Junhui and two behind 22-year-old prodigy Trump. Shaun Murphy, who has a slender chance of taking qualification from O'Sullivan, also features at Grimsby Auditorium, while veteran Jimmy White, bottom of the Premier League table, will play for pride alone.
Judd has already qualified for the playoffs on November 26 in Hopton-on-Sea, while O'Sullivan is tantalisingly close - only a 3-0 defeat to Jimmy White in this week's semi final or a comprehensive Shaun Murphy victory would threaten his place.
Many will anticipate O'Sullivan to dispose of White and Judd to defeat Murphy in the semi finals, leading to a rematch of their fantastic five-set thriller in Week Eight. O'Sullivan got the better of the Bristolian on that occasion, only to lose to Ding in the final.
O'Sullivan is 4/6 favourite to confirm his playoff place in style with a victory in Grimsby, while Trump is available at 11/4. Shaun Murphy is a 4/1 shot, while Jimmy White is the 16/1 outsider - no surprise given he's won just two frames throughout the tournament.
Sky Bet offer 10/11 O'Sullivan and Trump meet in the final; it is 11/5 that O'Sullivan beats Trump, while 7/2 is available on Trump exacting revenge for that Week Eight defeat with a win over Ronnie in the final this time.
Should O'Sullivan confirm his playoff place, his position as 13/8 favourite to win the entire Premier League will strengthen; likewise, Trump's 11/4 will no doubt shorten with a win this week. The other two expected semi finalists, Mark Williams and Ding Junhui, are 11/4 and 4/1 respectively.
